Its light, conversational tone and charming illustrations are just as engaging as they ever were. It is still able to keep a group of children as young as 18 months riveted through multiple readings (trust me, this book worked wonders for me at story time in a long day care centre).
The narrator (which turns out to be you or rather, the child hearing you read it as they gaze at the pictures) describes the Big Hungry Bear that will no doubt be stamping through the forest to find the Red Ripe Strawberry that has just been picked.
The delicious part of this book is that we never find out if such a scary creature exists, or if it was simply an invention of the narrator to convince the mouse to share the strawberry with the child reading the book.
This makes it perfect for those younger, slightly more timid children who might find a confrontation frightening. At the same time, older children can discuss the existence of the bear and the plan to scare the mouse into sharing.
I still find myself smiling when the plan comes to fruition and I graciously accept the strawberry half from the mouse who is only too happy to rid himself of the threat of big hungry bear.
You will, too.
- Review by Thomas Hewitt
Title: The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear
Author: Don and Audrey Wood
Illustrator: Don Wood
Publisher: Child’s Play International, $12.95
Publication Date: this version, March 1990
Format: Paperback (also in Board Book)
ISBN: 9780859530125
For ages: 1-5
Type: Picture Book
